Cabs for Cabernet Day
From what we’re seeing on social media, it appears today is Cabernet Day. However, a bit of research also suggests tomorrow and Saturday also own the rights to this prestigious honour, so maybe this is the start of Cabernet 3 Days?
Either way, we never like to miss out on a party and since what the hell is usually our best answer, we thought we’d add our two cents to the chorus of Cabernet calls and list a few of Cabs we’re enjoying right now.
Gemtree Vineyards “Tatty Rd” Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia, 2012
$15.60 LCBO 358879
Lots of interest and fun for the money. With a dense and rich nose of blackberry, earth, black pepper and sweet oaky notes, the palate is ripe and velvety with plush tannin and flavours of dark fruit, bitter chocolate and egg nog spice. Slightly hot on the finish. A good barbecue wine for sweet ribs and blue cheese burgers.
Alma Mora Cabernet Sauvignon, San Juan, Argentina, 2013
$10.80 LCBO 358903
Cab fans may do a double take at the astonishing price point as this Cab certainly over delivers. Aromas of spice, cassis and floral, while the palate is rich and focused with tamarind, clay, bitter cherry, baking spice and flint, there’s a good amount of depth and complexity for the price. Great value.
Featherstone Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara Peninsula, 2012
$17.95 Vintages 64618
We are continually impressed with what Featherstone puts out – and this Cab Franc is no exception. Smokey aromas of blackberry, tamarind, dried leaf and baking spice, this is full and grippy on the palate with dark fruit and spice flavours. Enjoy with grilled lamb chops or veal ragu.
The Foreign Affair “The Conspiracy,” VQA Niagara Peninsula, 2012
$19.95 Vintages 149237
A Bordeaux blend done in the Italian ripasso style, this inky purple wine is voluptuous and rich with a sweet and savoury nose of fig, black cherry, sundried tomato, celery salt and brining spices. The palate is dense and concentrated with chewy tannin and flavours of cigar, black olive, blackberry, and dried herbs. Big and rich, this definitely requires decanting of at least an hour, and then enjoy with slabs of braised meat.
Black Stallion Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2011
$29.95 Vintages 256768
Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Merlot and Petit Verdot, this is a standout Napa Cab that can easily compare to wines double the price. Aromas of blackberry, fig, cooking spice and dried tobacco on the nose, while the palate is fullish with grippy tannin cassis, wet leaves, savoury herb and fresh-turned earth. It would be worth it to up a few bottles and sock away in the cellar to enjoy over the winter.
Santa Rita “120” Red, Valle Central Chile, 2012
$9.95 LCBO 308247
A blend of Cabernet Franc, Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Rita pays homage to 120 soldiers who fought for Chile’s independence and sought refuge on the winery’s estate back in 1814. A savoury nose of tamarind, steak sauce, smoked meat and black licorice, the full bodied palate has flavours of wild herbs, black Nibbs, cassis and dark cherry. Grippy tannin and balanced acid, you can’t help but crave sticky, saucy, barbecued meats, cooked low and slow.
Buried Hope Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, California, 2010
$19.95 LCBO 356113
A fantastic crowd pleaser for lovers of rich Cali Cabs, this offers loads of sweet oak spice on the nose – think butterscotch and creme brûlée topping, along with sticky dark fruits and coffee. The palate is smooth and velvety, and crammed with flavours of blackberries, earth and spice. Try with meat lovers’ pizza or cabernet braised short ribs.
Henry of Pelham Cabernet-Merlot, VQA Niagara Peninsula, 2011
$14.95 LCBO 504241
Really like this Niagara Cab from HOP, which shows a bright red cherry, baking spice and dried leaves on the nose. Medium bodied with grippy tannin and flavours of red and black berry, tobacco and cedar, try this with rosemary lamb chops, brisket, or chicken breast stuffed with gorgonzola cheese.